John Curry: My take on the board's suggestions....

From John Curry, January 21, 2011

They are strongly based on an OEA platform of dragging their feet by "phasing in" the actives' contributions (which are too small) over a period of up to 5 years. This way, the OEA won't have to take as much "heat" from the actives while the suggested immediate implementation of the COLA cut slaps current retirees in the face once again.

STRS surely didn't' "phase in" the spousal trashing when they cut off spousal subsidy to retirees who were insuring their spouses, did they? They did it overnight. If they couldn't give our spouses a 5 year "phase-in", then they shouldn't give actives 5 years....especially in these hard times. The OEA will do their damnedest to see that actives are not hit as hard as retirees. Remember, actives pay OEA dues and retirees don't.

By the way, notice how ORTA remains silent on this issue and hops right in bed with the OEA? Lack of opposition shows approval, doesn't it?

John